Director, Business Development

As Director, Business Development, you will identify opportunities with sponsors and CROs, build relationships with key industry stakeholders, and move prospective business from initial conversation through award. You will help communicate what makes Profound different while ensuring the opportunities we pursue align with our physicians, patient populations, and operational capabilities.  

This is a hands-on role for someone who knows how clinical research business development works and is energized by the opportunity to build. You will need to be comfortable opening doors, following up persistently, working through ambiguity, and bringing the right internal partners together to keep opportunities moving. We are looking for someone has the confidence to take ownership and the humility to learn, adjust, and grow alongside the organization.   

What You’ll Do 

Develop Business and Build Industry Relationships 

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with sponsors, CROs, and other industry partners 

• Build account and territory strategies informed by market trends, therapeutic priorities, upcoming studies, and Profound’s network capabilities 

• Develop trusted relationships with key stakeholders and serve as a primary external representative of Profound 

• Communicate Profound’s physician relationships, patient access, site capabilities, and performance in a compelling and credible way 

• Represent Profound at industry conferences, client meetings, networking events, and other external engagements 

Lead Opportunities Through the Commercial Process 

• Manage opportunities from initial outreach and qualification through feasibility, proposal, negotiation, and award 

• Partner with feasibility, clinical operations, legal, finance, and other internal teams to develop competitive and executable opportunities 

• Maintain momentum by coordinating next steps, addressing barriers, and ensuring timely follow-through 

• Balance sponsor expectations with Profound’s capabilities, resources, and strategic priorities 

Strengthen Commercial Performance 

• Maintain accurate pipeline, activity, and relationship information within Profound’s CRM 

• Monitor deal progress, risks, conversion trends, and overall pipeline health 

• Provide senior leaders with clear reporting and insights regarding business development activity, performance, and priorities 

• Use market feedback and commercial data to improve account strategy, processes, and sales effectiveness 

Requirements 

Essential Qualifications 

• 5+ years of experience in sales and/or sales support within clinical research or a related life sciences field – you understand how sponsors think and how deals get done 

• Demonstrated ability to operate strategically, not just tactically; you’ve moved beyond executing a playbook and are ready to help write one 

• Strong external presence with the credibility and communication skills to represent Profound confidently in sponsor and CRO relationships 

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, with the ability to align internal teams around commercial priorities without direct authority 

• Strong CRM experience (e.g., Salesforce), including the ability to maintain an accurate pipeline and product activity and performance reporting that informs commercial strategy  

• Deep understanding of the life sciences market, including clinical trial conduct, sponsor and CRO decision-making, and the processes through which studies are evaluated and awarded  

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment, bringing initiative and sound judgment while remaining adaptable, open to feedback, and willing to learn 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience developing business for a clinical research site, site network, integrated research organization, CRO, or similar organization 

• Established relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO stakeholders 

• Experience improving business development strategies or processes within a growing organization